You are Loved - Dusty Attic inspiration for June 2020

Hi FANAttic's...

Here is my second Antonis Tzanidakis inspired Dusty Attic inspiration.

I love doing canvas and seeing as this is my birthday month... I took this opportunity to remind myself that self love, fidelity to a worthy cause and sweet memories are all I need. Have a look and see how I get this one done.   

I love these mini Polaroid Chip boards.

There are so many useful pieces in one.

I keep the squares to use instead of foam tape...

These page tabs are super cool to break up layers in the matt. 

I covered a canvas approximately 5" x 7" with book pages and vintage papers. I used some clear crackle paste around the edges because I knew I wanted to add something to the background to age it. While the crackle was still wet I added my jigsaw pieces to it as this will double as an adhesive. I pushed the pieces into the paste to remove a little bit of height and add an extra edge for the adhesive.

I lay my chipboard and basic elements onto my dried background using the puzzle pieces as a platform. I had to use an off cut to fill the area behind the photo. 

I then painted the individual pieces in a variety of vintage shades with paint by Stamperia. I wasn't really concerned with the paint coming onto the background as I was hoping for a happy accident and a little more variation in colour once I had oiled the canvas.

I completely covered the canvas with an oil paint in Burnt Umber. It looks pretty scary when you see all the work you have put into it covered in what looks like mud! With a moist wipe I removed the paint leaving behind what is essentially a stain. How good does the crackle look!! When you use an oil paint it is fully water resistant and won't bleed if you add water to newer layers. 

I used a few left overs from the background to create a matt and inked the edges with Distress Oxide in Vintage Linen.

Before laying down my elements I added some sisal and some linen and lace textural elements to emphasize the aging. I then did some dry brushing with white gesso. I then went over the canvas with some wax in Aged Brass to break up what looked like too much vintage... After all what says vintage more than a bit of dulled metal. 

Thanks for looking & make sure you go on over to our group Dusty FANattics and see how other people have been inspired to use their chippy.

Abela Artistry

Chipboard Used

Jigsaw pieces - Medium

Foilage #1
Butterflies #2
Mini Captions #10
Polaroid Frame Set #5

June Moodboard inspiration - UNDERWATER TREASURE

Well well, winter is here... I wanted to create something for this months moodboard that reminded me of what its like to live on the coast, when swimming is NOT an option. My kids were born in a little seaside town on the Mid North Coast of NSW. We would rug up and take walks on the beach. I remember the sand would be so cold that our feet went numb but if you have under 10's, just try and keep them out of the water. Well they're not little anymore and this is as close as they get. 

I am in love with the papers that Stamperia produce, designed by Antonis Tzanidakis. I have had the pleasure of getting to know the guy and do about 10 of his classes and play around with his techniques. With this month's inspirations, I merge some of the best I learned from him... and my own favourites. I used crackle paste on the background and then used some oil paint to age it and a bit of Lindy's sprays in teal and copper to enhance the colours used in the original paper because I didn't want to lose the tones that matched the mood board perfectly.

I used lots of texture and layers on my pages. Keeping with the theme of Underwater Treasure, knowing that there is more going on under the ocean than on top these days. I fussy cut my favourite elements from the paper range and matted them with black card stock. I used a solid colour to make the title pop this time. 

I painted the Shells and Corals in white Gesso and dabbed it thickly with my brush to create peaks in the paint. This allowed me to create ridges for the Lindys and waxes to sit on. I also used white for the compass. I sprayed some colour on my craft mat and put the chipboard into it - face down. The ridges collect the shimmer and give it something to grab onto. This is also true for the waxes. I apply them with my finger tip and gently rub across the raised surfaces

Tip: The colours vary so much when you use chipboard in natural, white or black. If I am unsure I paint the back of the chipboard piece in sections of each option and test it. Then when I know what I prefer I flip it over and use my preferred choice. 

I painted the Stars, Anchor and chains in black gesso. I used the dabbing on the anchor and chains... It gives off a fantastic textured effect, when teamed up with waxes looks like aged metal. #lovinit! I left the stars with a flat coat. I find that the variation in textures makes them stand apart from each other better even though they have the same base coat. 

To break up my layers I added some sisal in between. Anything white is a good 'page break'. I am not a brave creator and really struggle with adding colours that stand out in among my page elements so I like to use neutrals. I really loved the page as it was, however I felt I needed something to unify all the elements... Art stones! cant get more aquatic than that. 

This is our Mood board for the month, if I have inspired you to join in post your entry on the Dusty Attic Blog and pop it into our Facebook group Dusty FANattics and see what other people are creating with Dusty Attic Chipboard.

Thanks for looking and links to products are below! 

Chipboard Used

Compass Rose #2
Coral #1
Shells #2
Anchor #2
Chains - 4 pc
Underwater Treasure
Industrial Stars #2